This week, Grade 1 students learned about compound words through a fun and interactive activity. They were introduced to the concept of a compound word when they arrived to their classrooms and noticed a "crime scene" - words were cut in half! But they weren't just any words, they were compound words! Students then worked to read a compound word in its entirety, physically cut it apart, and practiced with the individual words before reassembling them as if they were a puzzle to connect. Students not only enhanced their reading skills but also developed their understanding of how smaller words can combine to create new meanings. Many began noticing the compound words they saw around the room, excitedly shouting out words including "headband!" and "sweatshirt!"